About Intel® Processor Numbers

The processor number is one of several factors, along with processor brand, specific system configurations, and system-level benchmarks, to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features, but it may be more of one and less of another. Once you decide on a specific processor brand and type, compare processor numbers to verify the processor includes the features you are looking for.

Desktop and Mobile Processors

Processor numbers for the 7th Generation Intel® Core™ processors use an alphanumeric scheme based on generation and product line following the brand and its modifier. The first digit in the four-number sequence indicates the generation of processor, and the next three digits are SKU numbers. Where applicable, an alpha suffix appears at the end of the processor name, which represents the processor line. Intel® High End Desktop processors follow a different numbering scheme due to the difference in their feature set.

Processor numbers for the 6th Generation Intel® Core™ processors use an alphanumeric scheme based on generation and product line following the brand and its modifier. The first digit in the four-number sequence indicates the generation of processor, and the next three digits are SKU numbers. Where applicable, an alpha suffix appears at the end of the processor name, which represents the processor line. Intel® High End Desktop processors follow a different numbering scheme due to the difference in their feature set.

Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1500M v5-based Mobile Workstations

The latest Intel® Xeon® processor numbering system is an alpha numeric representation of product line, product family, and version. Where applicable, an alpha suffix appears at the end of the processor name, which represents the processor line. The version number will not be used in the first processor generation.

Processor numbers for the 5th Generation Intel® Core™ processors use an alphanumeric scheme based on generation and product line following the brand and its modifier. The first digit in the four-number sequence indicates the generation of processor, and the next three digits are SKU numbers. Where applicable, an alpha suffix appears at the end of the processor name, which represents the processor line. Intel® High End Desktop processors follow a different numbering scheme due to the difference in their feature set.

Intel® Core™ M Processor Family

Processor numbers for the Intel® Core™ M processors use an alphanumeric scheme following the modifier. Where applicable, an alpha suffix appears at the end of the processor name, which represents the processor line.

Laptop, Desktop, and Mobile Device Processors

Processor numbers for the 4th Generation Intel® Core™ processors use an alphanumeric scheme based on generation and product line following the brand and its modifier. The first digit in the four-number sequence indicates the generation of processor, and the next three digits are SKU numbers. Where applicable, an alpha suffix appears at the end of the processor name, which represents the processor line. Intel® High End Desktop processors follow a different numbering scheme due to the difference in their feature set.

Processor numbers for the 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ processors use an alphanumeric scheme based on generation and product line following the brand and its modifier. The first digit in the four-number sequence indicates the generation of processor, and the next three digits are SKU numbers. Where applicable, an alpha suffix appears at the end of the processor name, which represents the processor line. Intel® High End Desktop processors follow a different numbering scheme due to the difference in their feature set.

2nd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family

Processor numbers for the 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processor family have an alphanumerical identifier followed by a four-digit numerical sequence, and may have an alpha suffix depending on the processor. The table below explains the alpha suffixes used for the 2nd generation Intel Core processor family.

Intel® Core™ Processor Family

Processor numbers for the previous generation Intel® Core™ processor family have an alphanumerical identifier followed by a three-digit numerical sequence.

Intel® Core™ 2 Processor Family

Processor numbers for the Intel® Core™ 2 processor family brands are categorized with an alpha prefix followed by a four-digit numerical sequence. The table below explains the alpha prefixes used for the Intel Core 2 processor family.

Intel® Core™2 Quad Family

Processor numbers for the Intel® Core™2 Quad family have an alpha prefix followed by a four-digit numerical sequence. Additionally, low power Intel Core 2 Quad processors are identifiable by an "S" suffix, which represents processors having a lower thermal design power.

Intel® Atom™ Processors

Processor numbers for the Intel® Atom™ processor family are categorized by a three-digit numerical sequence. Netbook class Intel® Atom™ processors have an alpha prefix of N, and Intel Atom processors with an alpha prefix of Z indicate the processor is for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs). A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features. A higher processor number may have more of one feature and less of another.

Intel® Pentium® Processors

Processor numbers for the Intel® Pentium® brand have an alpha prefix followed by a four-character numerical sequence. All are desktop energy-efficient dual-core processors with TDP that is greater than or equal to 65 W. A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features such as cache, clock speed, front side bus, or other Intel® technologies. A higher number processor may also have more of one feature and less of another.

Intel® Celeron® Processors

Processor numbers for the Intel® Celeron® brand are expressed with either a three-digit numerical sequence or a five-character sequence with an alphabetical prefix and four digits, depending on the processor type. A higher number within a processor class or family generally indicates more features such as cache, clock speed, front side bus, or other Intel® technologies. A higher number processor may also have more of one feature and less of another.